Window shade



Oct. 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1954 Philip 6. Mal'orl'no JNVENTOR.

Oct. 16, 1956 P. G. MAIORINO WINDOW SHADE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1954 Fig. 5

Philip G. Maia/Ina INVENTOR. BY @Mwiu.

(Wavy Anmq:

United States Patent WINDOW SHADE Philip G. Maiorino, Newark, N. J.

Application March 19, 195 4,'Seria] No. 417,250

3 Claims. (Cl. 160--130) This invention relates to a window shade and more particularly to a window shade comprising a plurality of vertically disposed slats.

An object of this invention is to provide a window shade formed of a plurality of strips which extend vertical- 1y of the window and may be conveniently adjusted toward and away from each other to control the amount of light entering a room between the strips.

Another object of this invention is to provide a window shade having the above characteristics which can be secured to a roller so that the shade may be conveniently raised or lowered.

A further object of this invention is to provide a window shade formed of a pair of rows of strips wherein the distance between the rows of strips can be varied to control the amount of light passing therebetween.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a window shade having the above characteristics which is simple and efiicient in construction, and durable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of one form of window shade constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of window shade constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing the strips in open position;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 3-3 of Figure 1, but with the strips shown in closed position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 5-5 of Figure 1 showing the strips in open position;

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially along the section line 5-5 of Figure 1 but showing the strips in closed position;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the spreading member on certain of the strips in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 8 is a sequential view showing the spreading member in various positions to control the passage of light between the strips.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the improved window shade forming the subject of this invention includes, as seen in Figure 1, an upper frame member 10 and a lower frame member 12. The upper frame member 10 may be in the form of a conventional curtain shade roller and is adapted to be secured by conventional brackets, one of which is shown at 14, to a window frame 16.

A first series of spaced, vertical strips 18 are secured at their opposite ends to the frame members 10 and 12.

P ice A second series of spaced, vertical strips '20 are also secured at their opposite ends to the frame members 10 and "12.. The IWOSEI'iESiOf strips 18 and 20 are arranged side-byside :to storm-two rows :of strips, -one directly behind :the :other, with the spaces betweenthe strips of one row being less than the :of thestrips of the other row. Thus, the edges of .thestrips :ofione row will overlie the edges ofi'th'e strips of theotherrow.

:When the window :shade :is amounted on .the window framer16 by means of the brackets -14, "the weight of the frame member 12 will maintain :the strips 18 and 20 in vertical position-and'in engagement with each other. The strips ;18 and 201are of a fiexiblemateriaitso that they may be wound :upon .the roller 10 when the roller is actuated. Means are provided forspread'mg the central portions of the strips 18 from the strips 20 when the same are in position on the window frame 16.

This means comprises a fiat, elongated panel 22 which is adapted to be removably positioned between the strips 18 and 20. Certain of the strips 20 are provided with flexible loops 24 secured thereto adjacent their midpoints. The panel 22 is adapted to be inserted through the loops 24. Preferably, the loops 24 are mounted on the two outer strips 20, Thus, when the panel 22 is moved to a position as shown in Figure 1, the central portions of the strips 18 will be moved away from the central portions of the strips 20 allowing light to pass between the strips. When the panel 22 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 4, the strips 18 will lie closely adjacent the strips 20, thereby restricting the passage of light therethrough.

In order to maintain the panel 22 in adjusted position, the side edges thereof are provided with sharpened portions 26 along the area which is to be received within the loops 24. These sharpened edges will provide a more positive grip for the panel 22 Within the loops 24 for maintaining the panel 22 in adjusted position. When it is desired to wind the strips 18 and 20 on the roller 19, the panel 22 is removed from position between the strips 18 and 20, and the strips 18 and 20 can then be easily wound on the roller 10.

The modifications shown in Figure 2 comprises upper and lower frame members 28 and 30. These frame members 28 and 30 can be of open framework, as illustrated in the drawings, or can be of a solid flat piece. A first series of spaced, vertical strips 32 are secured at their opposite ends to one side of the frame members 28 and 30. A second series of spaced, vertical strips 34 are secured at their opposite ends to the other sides of the frame members 28 and 30. The upper frame member 28 is provided with projections 36 at opposite ends thereof and midway between the sides thereof. The projections 36 are utilized for pivotally mounting the upper frame member 28 to the window frame 16.

Thus, when the frame members 28 and 30 are disposed in horizontal position, the strips 32 and 34 will be separated, allowing light to pass therebetween. However, when the frame members 28 and 30 are rota-ted about their longitudinal axis so that the side edges thereof are in vertical relationship to one another, the strips 32 and 34 will approach each other, thereby restricting the passage of light therebetween.

The strips 18 and 20 and 32 and 34 can be either opaque or translucent, depending on the choice of the user. In both modifications, the spacing between the strips controls the amount of light passing therethrough.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described,

and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equiva- 2,766,820 7 I 7 r 1 v i V 4 lents may be resortedto',"falling within the scope of the appended claims, a .v t a t 7 What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A window shade comprisinga pair of spaced parallel frame members, said frame members adapted .to 'beihori 5 zontally disposed :'with one of :said frame members secured adjacentthe top of a window frame, a'first row of strips secured to said frame members and extending versaid positions. s 7 e i tically therebetween, a secondrow of strips secured to 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said spreader said frame members and extending .vertically' therebe- 10 member is provided with sharp longitudinal edge portions tween, the strips of each 'row being spaced apart a disreceived in said loops for gripping said loopsp tance less than the width. of the strips of the other row, said strips of one row overlapping the spaces between the strips of the other row;.said strips of each row being flexible away from the-stripsin the other row into longi- 15 the strips of one row rotatablysupporting said spreader member.

2. The combination of 'claim' 1 wherein said means comprises flexible hanger loops surrounding said spreader member and frictionally engaged by longitudinal edges of the spreader member to retain the spreader member in References Cited in the file of thispate'nt UNITED; STATES PATENTS tudinally bowedposition to space said' rows apart between 1 V g 1 my i? said frame members, an elongated fiat, horizontal spreader i fig gg 2? 1938 member between the rows of 'strlp rotatable about its 2,370,794 Houmem I v V @1945 longitudinal axis from a vertical into a substantially horizontal position to space said rows apart, and means on 

